Referring to the threats that the stability of the region would be jeopardised if
Cyprus acceded to the EU, unleashed by Turkish Ground Forces commander,
Aytac Yalman, who is carrying out an illegal visit to the Turkish occupied
areas of the island, Papapetrou said the Turks are "hostage to their own
arguments and phraseology".|

"They know that on a government and military level, their threats to halt the
island's accession course has failed", Papapetrou added.

"Nothing can stop our accession and this message should go in all directions
in Cyprus and abroad", the Spokesman stressed.

He further said that, based on political criteria, Cyprus ranks first in all fields,
noting that in talks to solve the Cyprus problem it has shown that it is
considerably interested in a solution, the respect of principles and
international law, and for a compromise, while by maintaining its economy on
enviable levels, has secured its EU accession course.

The Turkish commander expressed support to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf
Denktash's insistence for a solution with the establishment of "two equally
sovereign states" and reiterated the threat that "if the Greek Cypriot side
enters the EU, then peace and stability in eastern Mediterranean will be
jeopardised and a crisis will ensue".

Cyprus, which opened accession negotiations with the EU in 1998, has been
divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern
third. Cyprus is expected to be invited to join the EU in the first phase
enlargement, during the Copenhagen European Council in December.